The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has received bids for a contract to build its new exhibition and display centre, which will be located in Ahmadi.

KOC received bids from four local contractors on the 27 June.

Kuwait Company for Process Plant Construction and Contracting (KCPC) submitted the lowest bid with a price of KD22.6m ($77.8m). This is 3 per cent lower than the KD23.3m bid submitted by the second lowest bidder, Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting Company.

Alamiah Building Company submitted a price of KD23.8m, and the Combined Group Contracting Company (CGC) submitted a bid of KD24.9m.

The work involves construction, operation and maintenance of the new exhibition centre and the associated buildings. The winning contractor will also be responsible for providing all of the utilities and off-site connections and all of the exhibition equipment and props.

KOC is also currently tendering a contract to build a hospital in Ahmadi.

The 10 prequalified contractors have until 27 July to submit bids for the project, which is to be located in the Ahmadi oil township, which is located about 40 kilometres south of Kuwait City.

The prequalified contractors, all international, are:

• Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
• Consolidated Contractors Company (Athens-based)
• Sinohydro Corporation (China)
• Posco Engineering & Construction Company (South Korea)
• Nurol Construction & Trading Company (Turkey)
• SNC Lavalin (Canada)
• Sembawang Engineers & Contractors (Singapore), Alamiah Building Company (local)  
• Saudi Binladin Group (Saudi Arabia)
• Orascom Construction Industries (Egypt)
• SK Engineering & Construction (South Korea)

The scope of the project includes the construction, operation and maintenance of the hospital and residential buildings, associated buildings and utilities. The project will have a total built up area of 74,000 square metres.

KOC originally tendered the contract in 2006, but decided to retender as the first bids were too high above budget (MEED 14:5:10).